No. 1123.
Mr. Scott to Mr. Bayard.

[Extract.]
No. 236.]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 159? instructing this legation “to protest against the law of Venezuela requiring masters of vessels coming from foreign ports to deliver all the ship’s papers to the customs’ authorities of the port of entry.” Your No. 159 has been carefully noted, and the statements cited in said dispatch will be duly examined into, and be brought before the Government of Venezuela in accordance with instructions contained in said dispatch.

But permit me to say that, in the opinion of this legation, it would be advisable to defer the presentation of this important matter to the Venezuelan Government until it has assumed a more responsible and reliable condition than it now possesses.

I have the honor, etc.,

Charles L. Scott.